Humayre: The Chronicles of Ronin Wilder
Chapter 31

Snow grasped Ronin’s ankles like icy fingers. The wind gusted across the courtyard pelting the back of his neck with tiny bits of snow. A closed door stood before him like an impenetrable wall. Muffled voices tormented his ears. He couldn’t be sure if they belonged to the living or the dead. All he had to do was open the door, to walk into the Memorial Room, to give his respects to the fallen Humayre but instead found himself frozen, unable to move. The piercing cold attacked his body but he was too numb to notice it.

Two days had passed since Ronin woke up in the courtyard stunned, confused and wondering how he got there. Putting two and two together he decided Raven was the answer, although he couldn’t quite be sure why he would go through such trouble to not only keep him alive but return him home safely.

Those past two days had been like a dream. And it wasn’t just him. The whole school seemed to be in a shocked stupor. No one had seen Grace since she received news of Cyrus’s death. Kevin and Mike tried to cheer Ronin up but there was nothing they could do. Ronin had found himself in his room sleeping most of those two days.

To make matters worse no one ever found Cyrus’s or the other Humayre’s swords. When Cyrus’s team never reported back they sent a recovery team. The remains of the five Humayre were all they found in the burned down house. All of their swords were missing. It was the first time in BrightWood’s history where memorials did not include the deceased’s Mayreblade’s. Ronin could only guess that Raven took them as some sick trophy.

Perhaps the thing that tormented Ronin the most was the fact that no one knew he had been there. That he had seen the final moments of Cyrus’s life. Somehow he felt dirty for keeping the secret, like he was dishonoring those who died by not sharing the story of how they perished. No one knew for certain what had happened. The rumor’s all centered on Raven but they were nothing more than rumors. The only person who really knew what happened was Ronin. Fear kept his mouth closed. For all he knew, they might blame him. Not only could he be expelled but maybe even tried for treason. What was to stop them from thinking the worst, after all it was in his blood to be a traitor. The guilt of his silence was almost too much to bear.

Maybe that’s why Ronin was finding it difficult to enter the Memorial Room, he felt unworthy. A firm grasp on Ronin’s right shoulder spurned him to turnaround. The wind had changed course and was blowing in his face so he had no idea who was behind him. The strength and size of the grip made him think it was Mike.

A crushing blow to Ronin’s stomach doubled him over. He gasped for air but his lungs refused to fill. Just as he was collapsing to his knees, he got jerked to his feet. Holding him up by the jacket was Ryan.

“Where’s the letter?” asked Ryan. He pulled his fist back like he was going to launch another attack.

The air finally found Ronin’s lungs. He gasped, his lungs filled. He gasped once more. Anger welled up inside of him instantly giving him strength. He grabbed Ryan’s wrist. All five claws extended but something stopped them from penetrating. Focusing on Ryan’s hand and then his chest he realized the Rahvein was wearing his wet-suit like outfit called Bio Armor. He didn’t know much about the armor except that it was very resilient, gave the Rahvein enhanced strength and was powered by their unique Mayre.

“Nice try, Humayre trash,” said Ryan, looking at Ronin’s hand. “Filthy beast.” He jerked his wrist from Ronin’s grasp and launched another attack.

The punch took Ronin by surprise. He leaned back and tried to roll but the blow caught him on the cheek. He spun and tumbled into the snow. A throbbing below his left eye enraged him and brought him to his feet. Spreading his legs wide and crouching low, Ronin held his hands out. Ten razor sharp claws glistened in the gloom.

Ryan took a step back.

Ronin smelled the sweet scent of fear, it excited his heart rate. A malicious grin revealed Ronin’s four pearlescent fangs. Adrenaline and lust for the fight began to take over his mind. All thought and control dissolved like a departing mist. The feeling scared him. Fearing he might lose himself, he stood tall and violently shook his head. Terror of what he might do filled him and forced him to step back.

Ryan’s eyes opened wide. His hands shook as he tried to unbutton his coat. After a frantic few seconds he was able to get inside his coat and pull out a manila envelope. With a trembling arm Ryan held the envelope up so Ronin could see it.

“Where’s my letter?” asked Ryan, in a shaky voice.

Curious about the envelop Ronin decided to answer. “I lost it.”

Ryan’s face flushed red. His eyes ignited into a hateful glare. The muscles in his jaws flexed.

The scent of fear mixed with rage, a dangerous combination, Ronin had only smelled it one time before. It was Cyrus’s scent just before Raven plunged the sword into his chest. The memory sickened him.

Ryan threw the manila envelope at Ronin. It stuck in the soft powder a few feet in front of Ronin. As he bent down to pick up the envelop, Ryan took off running. The Rahvein burst through the ankle-high snow and made it all the way across the courtyard in seconds disappearing into the east side entrance of the castle.

The envelope was damp. The glue seal broke with ease. Stuffing his hand inside the envelope Ronin pulled out a letter and two pictures. Flipping the pictures over Ronin’s heart dropped. The strength sapped from his legs. Buzzing exploded in his ears. A sickness he had never experienced gripped his stomach. The pictures were of Mrs. Kinney. In both photos she was tied to a chair and gagged.

A folded piece of paper was all that remained of the envelope’s contents. Ronin frantically read the white-lined paper. The almost illegible script stated that Ronin had two days to get Ryan’s letter back or Mrs. Kinney would be killed. The letter also stated that he had to take Ryan’s letter to five six two Bentmoore Street in Oakridge by three pm on the fifth. The orders were clear and simple, tell no one, bring no one, or Mrs. Kinney dies.

Four pearlescent claws drummed across a table in the back corner of Bub’s Pub. The fireplace blazed behind Ronin. The heat burned his neck and the back of his arms but he couldn’t move. He needed a spot facing the front door. Once more his claws thumped the table in an ordered drum like tempo. Little holes were beginning to form in the hard wood.

For most of the day he had hid from the world scheming and planning for a way to save Mrs. Kinney. What he realized after hours of contemplation was that he wouldn’t be able to do it on his own. It was time to trust his friends. They were the only one who could help. Which was the reason he needed to face the door. He needed to know as soon as one of them came into the pub.

The wooden door opened. In came two second year students. Ronin sat back and exhaled in frustration. He knew it wouldn’t be long, class had ended twenty minutes earlier. It was just a matter of time before Mike convinced Kevin that they needed some cider. The behemoth needed his daily dose. The door opened again. Wind and snow blew across the hard wood floors followed by Kevin and Mike. Ronin raised his hand. The two saw him and headed for Ronin’s table.

“Where were you?” asked Kevin. He took his coat off and hung it on the chair next to Ronin’s. “Master Kita is going to kill you next time he sees you.” He took a seat next to Ronin and looked at the four wooden mugs sitting on the table. “One of these for me?”

Ronin nodded.

“Bro.” Mike took the seat on the other side of Ronin. “You missed it.” He shook his head and laughed.

Kevin gave Mike a dirty look.

“Bro. You should have seen Grace in our Basic Dueling class.”

Ronin flashed Mike a confused look.

“I know,” said Mike. “I was shocked to see her too.”

“It’s not that big of a deal,” said Kevin. “I just had an off day is all.”

“Off day?” said Mike, with huge smile. He slapped the table and started to laugh. He looked to Ronin. “Bro. Grace whupped our friend here like he’d never held a sword before.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” said Kevin, his face was red and angry. “Anyway. What was I supposed to do? Beat a girl?”

Mike burst into laughter. Lifting his huge index finger he pointed to a nasty bruise beneath Kevin’s eye. “She whupped you good bro. I’ve never seen such a beating. It’s okay though. You took it like man.” He raised his eyes to the ceiling and rubbed his chin. “Although. For a moment there I thought you were gonna try to make a run for it. Good thing Grace made sure you couldn’t embarrass yourself when she took your legs out from under you and cracked you on the coconut as you went down.” Mike laughed so hard he doubled over.

“Next time I’m not going easy on her,” said Kevin. He folded his arms and stared at the blazing inferno in the fireplace.

“Ha!” said Mike. “Thing is. I think she went easy on you.” He reached across the table and pat Kevin on the shoulder. “Bro. There is no dishonor in losing. She was good. I had no idea our Grace was that good.”

“So she’s doing better?” asked Ronin. “You know, after the whole Cyrus thing.” It was hard for Ronin to acknowledge the fact that Cyrus was gone.

“She still looks pretty down,” said Mike. “But instead of just being down, she also looks mad. Which I think is a good thing.” He picked up a mug, chugged all the cider down then wiped his mouth on his arm. “After what I saw today I think she’s a lot stronger than we give her credit for. She’s gonna be fine, bro.”

“What about you?” asked Kevin to Ronin. “You’ve been MIA for like four days. You okay?”

“No,” said Ronin. “Not really.”

The pub door opened. In walked Grace. Mike waved his hand in the air. Grace headed to their table.

“Hi guys,” said Grace.

The three boys all said hi. Grace took a seat next to Kevin.

“Good duel today,” said Grace.

“Not really,” said Kevin. “You won pretty easily.”

“Trust me,” said Grace. “It wasn’t easy.” She glanced at Ronin then returned her focus to Kevin. “You’re better than any second year I’ve dueled and most third years.”

Kevin sat up in his seat and took a more upright posture. The frown he had been brandishing softened. He was obviously pleased with what Grace had said.

“Guys,” said Ronin, in a serious tone. The table stopped their idle chatter and focused on Ronin. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the two pictures and the letter Ryan had given him. He placed them on the table. “I need your help guys.” He shook his head. “I mean I really need your help.”

Kevin, Mike and Grace looked through the photos and read the letter. They were all stunned.

“Who’s doing this?” asked Grace. “Why? Why would they do this?”

“It’s Ryan. I can’t get the letter he wants. I lost it,” said Ronin. “So I have to try to rescue her. I have a plan but I can’t do it without you guys.” He shook his head. “Mrs. Kinney is the only family I have. I can’t lose her.”

“I knew there was something wrong with the guy, but this is crazy,” said Mike. He rested his massive hand on his head.

Grace stood up and walked to Ronin. She put her hands on his shoulders and gently squeezed. “We will do whatever you want.” She looked to Mike and Kevin. “Right guys?”

“Bro. Whatever you need. Don’t worry. We will get her back for you.”

“Do you even need to ask?” asked Kevin, looking to Grace. Refocusing on Ronin, he added, “You’re my brother. Therefore Mrs. Kinney is my family as well. And you’re wrong about one thing.”

Ronin stared at Kevin waiting for what he had to say next.

“Mrs. Kinney is not your only family.” He looked to Grace and Mike. “We’re also your family.”

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